Time Under Chaos | TimeUnderChaos / Road to the Ramblin' Queen: Vikund browse

"I'm sure they'll be delighted to enjoy other entertainments," said Mandor.

She studied him for two heartbeats and then Petra gestured to the still dazed Gino. She turned to him when he came to her side. "Tell Antonia and Vincenzo the floor is theirs. All the usual protocols apply."

She smiled up at Ingrey and Sorcha and then gave Vikund a lingering look before devoting her full attention to Mandor.

Vikund met her look and held it while it lasted. The spell seemed to hold him there a long while after she had diverted her attention back to Mandor, but he finally regained his senses and made enquiries after Dawn.

Dawn, he was informed absently by Gino, had been assigned to hostess one of the private parlors this evening and would not be out on the floor in all liklihood.

"Alas," said Vikund. "Then I shall have to promenade." He headed off in the direction of refreshments and found a good vantage point from which to observe the night's events taking their course.

From his vantage point, he can see the wall containing the Gallery; a collection of portraits of each member of the staff, along with a little plaque underneath with a brief bio of the person. His sharp eye noticed that it had changed since he last saw it. A few have left, which was not a surprise as he knew some of the staff were only with Petra for what amounted to an apprenticeship.

There have also been a few additions, including a set of lovely dark haired twins, and an exotic, dusky skin woman who was almost ridiculously beautiful and hailed from the harems of Persa.

Vikund was used to constancy at the 'Queen, and the changes aroused his interested. Peeling himself slowly from his sedentary position, he acquired a refill for his glass and made a closer inspection of this latest influx of beauties.

They were all obviously Petra's work. Having spent sufficent time studying Petra's paintings previously, and having watched her paint, Vikund would be able pick out the subtle hints and undertones hidden in the backgrounds of all the paintings. They were like a puzzle that she expected very few to figure out.

The twins were identical, at least physically. The plaque underneath portrayed them as personality opposites. If either could be called dark to the other's light, it was Nereza to Angelique's. Where Angelique was the softer, more romantic if you will, of the two. Nereza came across as the wilder, more adventurous of the sisters. They were beautiful and seemed destined for something specific.

The dusky skinned woman was possibly even more beautiful up close, with her blue/green eyes and delicate features. Zarina was her name and her portrait called to mind exotic harems and hinted at dark fantasies.

His musings were interrupted by the carefully neutral voice of Antonia behind him.

"I see you have decided to honor us with your presence once again, Mr. Anansi."

"As always, you miss nothing, Antonia," Vikund replied. He turned slowly on his heel to face her and favoured her with a light smile. "I was just admiring the latest additions to your collection. They are quite delightful. I should not be surprised, but Madame never fails to exceed expectations."

"She really hates it when you call her that," Antonia informed him blandly. She glanced at the three new paintings and then her eyes flicked back to him.

Vikund's smile broadened. "Really? How amusing."

"Despite how 'delightful' you find them, you will be doing your usual skulking tonight and not actually participating in anything, I assume?"

"Why should it trouble you how I spend my time?" Vikund enquired lightly, sipping on his wine without releasing her from his dark gaze.

A dark eyebrow arched over a steadily growing fire in her eyes. "You overestimate your importance if you think it troubles me. It is my job to make sure our guests are seen to and their expectations met or exceeded, even if it is you. You annoy me, Mr. Anansi, with your continued disdain of some of the finer pleasures collected under this roof while you sit around and watch everyone else."

She leaned closer and lowered her voice. "Others may believe those rumors that started the night of your first visit, but I am not one of them. I know what happened and why, and that, Mr. Anansi, is just another of the many reasons you annoy me."

"Well that's an improvement on my boring you, I suppose," Vikund replied evenly. "I assure you I find as much pleasure watching the air-headed debauch themselves as they do indulging. You will find no complaints from this quarter."

"Boring, you are not," she was forced to irritably conceed.

"As for the rumours, the more that they are mentioned the more weight they receive. That is why nothing of the kind has passed my lips," he continued. "Doubtless you will find that difficult to believe, but that is your affair. Now, how about you forget who I am for a few moments and tell me about these girls," he said, turning back to the portraits.

She sneered at his back and, had he seen the small -uniquely Coronarn-gesture she made, he would have recognized it as rude. But she answered anyway. In a way.

"What is it you wish to know that is not there?"

"Everything," Vikund replied. "Or if you'd rather do something else you could always introduce me. Preferably without the benefit of footnotes," he smiled.

"Mr. Anansi. If I told you everything, where would be the fun in that?" Antonia laughed shortly. "You are going to have to be more specific in your query."

She deemed his request for an introduction as ridiculous and therefore ignore it.

Vikund raised an eyebrow. "I wasn't aware we were playing a game," he said. "I don't suppose Petra dipped her hand in a magic hat and produced these jewels of womanhood. There must have been negotiation, several visits and assessments made. You must have been part of that process."

Antonia shrugged. "The twins are from a recently graduated class of The Jade and required only Petra's offer before agreeing. Zarina is from Persa. A gift, if you will, from one the Sultans of the Southern Province." She smiled. "She's a bit of a spitfire. An intriguing combination.

"Are you familiar with the secrets of the Persan Harems, Mr. Anansi? It is one of their culture's closely guarded secrets, so I will assume not. Very few outside of Persa do. Her education was unbalanced so she spends a great deal of time in study in order to catch up with the rest of us."

"That makes sense," Vikund responded. "I have visited Persa, but it is impolitic to speak of the harems, let alone winkle out their secrets. I'm surprised the Sultan let her go, if she is anything like her picture. Still, Madame can be very persuasive," he smiled.

"You actually have no idea just how very persuasive she can be," Antonia responded She was about to say something else when Ramon slid to a stop beside her. She arched an irritated eyebrow at him.

"Pardon," he said grinned at her, then lowered his voice a bit to address them both. "Vincenzo is .... annoyed," he said delicately then he grinned again at Vikund. "It is, of course, all your fault."

Vikund laughed. "Excellent," he said, reaching for his silver pocket watch and studying it breifly. "I think that must be a record.

"Tell me, my friend, what has disturbed Vincenzo's good humour?" He asked lightly. "He's normally such a jovial chap."

"Si, exactly," Ramon sighed and gestured expansively. Antonia rolled her eyes and started looking over into the main lounge. She took anything Ramon and Vincenzo said about one another with a block of salt.

"It was something," Ramon continued thoughtfully. "About letting the Prime Minister take Petra off alone." He wagged a finger at Vikund and tsk'd.

"Oh, and that's *my* fault?" Vikund asked, raising his eyebrows. "I thought he was the one in charge of security. Madame can look after herself and the Prime Minister does as he pleases. I don't see where I figure in that equation."

He went to have a look at what level of thunderhead was forming above the unmistakable figure prowling the decks.

Antonia was more then willing to leave him to his fate, but Ramon followed him. "Of course it is your fault," he said merrily. "How do you not see that?" The whole thing seemed to amuse him no end, but Ramon was known to be a bit of an adrenaline junkie.

"Well if he's looking for an excuse to toss me overboard he'll have to do better than that," Vikund replied. "Surely he has some means of observation? Shouldn't he be doing that instead of pestering me?" He tossed off the rest of the wine in his glass and looked around for a refill. He caught himself then, and turned to Ramon. "You have my thanks, young man. Forewarned is forearmed," he smiled, and pressed a silver coin into his hand (assuming he will accept it, of course).

Ramon pretended not to see Vikund's hand as he put his own behind his back. Otherwise, he would be forced to challenge him to a duel of honor and the boss had enough to contend with this night, surely.

He tutted and looked around the portion of the ship they were on in an exaggerated fashion. "Perhaps you should breath, Senor Anansi. As you see, Vincenzo is not here 'bothering you' as you say. No, he is currently up top with the captian, seething dramatically. He is quite imaginative, Vincenzo," he added with some admiration.

Ramon waved it off. It seemed everyone on this ship talked with their hands. "Monitoring this private meeting presents its own problems, which is why our friend, he is in such a snit. We are talking about the Prime Minister, and he would likely be aware of any such monitoring, would he not?"

"Of course," Vikund replied, "but then I think he would be disappointed if he were not. Have you met Zarina?" He said, gesturing toward her portrait.

Ramon frowned slighty at the topic change, but answered. "Yes, of course. Antonia presented her at recent staff meeting. I beleive you and Petra were in Cornaro that day on one of your many jaunts."

A ghost of a frown passed across Vikund's face, before he adopted a more neutral expression.

"Forgive me, but I wish to be clear. The Prime Minister would be disappointed if he were not monitored?" His eyes narrowed thoughtfully as they turned to look up at the door to Petra's office. "Are you certain? They are not in her office."

"One can ever be certain about the mind of a Lord of Chaos," Vikund replied, "but for what it's worth that is my opinion. He is not here for kicks; it is a test. Why do you think he turned up here unannounced? He indicated to me that Petra should not be warned of his arrival, specifically so he could make judgments about this establishment. Make no mistake, this is not His Majesty you are dealing with."

"Oh, we know that," Ramon grinned easily. "He is far too ... stiff."

Vikund could not help but burst out laughing. "I'd imagine he is," he chuckled.

The duelist looked back at Zarina's portrait. "I understand there are already several dozen names waiting for her company." He smiled lazily at Vikund. "Has one finally caught your attention, Senor?"

"Well, she is truly amazing, isn't she?" Vikund replied. "I shall have to have severe words with my contacts in Persa.

"Don't misunderstand me, Ramon, there are many beguiling ladies here on the 'Queen. They are to me priceless artworks; to be admired from afar and never touched. If I should touch one, and she might break," he said. "It is Petra that brings me back here, in truth. Every so often her Siren Song calls me...

"And all I get is Vincenzo for my trouble," he smiled ruefully.

Now it is Ramon's turn to laugh. "It is not quite the same, I agree. He also needs to learn to relax." He shook his head sadly. "I try. But he is muy ... well, it is not a word for polite company. Is no secret we do not get along, Vincenzo and I, but we concede that each have qualities worth admiring."

He shrugged and flashed a smile full of white teeth. "Forgive me for saying, but for your Siren, you and the lady have a strange relationship, si?"

"You do know that Sirens were thought to lure sailors to their deaths?" Vikund answered. "I do not think it strange for a man to seek his muse without trying to possess her. Perhaps that is strange for this place, but then I am not like most of your patrons. Much to dear Antonia's dismay, I fear."

"Ah.. Antonia.." Ramon purred. "Such fire, such fight. One day she will finally succumb and make me a very happy man in constant danger of flying crockery. Hopefully before I am too old to enjoy that fire." He sighed and shook his head.

"You should take a lesson," he said casually as he turned his attention back to the portrait gallery.

"I should?" Vikund asked lightly. "From whom? I am adequate at dodging crockery, if that's what you mean," he smiled.

Ramon sighed as if Vikund was a completely hopeless case. "The greater the danger, the greater the rewards when you face it," he explained slowly.

"I have no doubt that if I made her angry enough, Antonia would cheerfully kill me in my bed." He grinned. "Or make me very, very sorry. There is a grand passion behind that temper. A passion that makes braving that temper worth ever vase she throws at me. Is the same with all very passionate women."

"All women are dangerous, my friend," Ramon added cheerfully. "That only makes them more desirable."

"All women?" Vikund replied. "I don't subscribe to that view. There are some whose first instinct is to love and cherish, I'm sure. If women are dangerous it is because men made them so by lies, abuse and rejection. There is a difference between danger and passion...." He considers Ramon a for a moment. "Well, to most people, anyway."

Ramon executed a flashy half bow.

"All women," he responded when he straightened. "Even those who wish to love and to cherish, for it dulls the senses and makes one believe all is right with the world."

He glanced back at Zarina. "Would you like for me to have you placed on the list?"

Vikund smiled. "Yes, please. If only to prove Antonia wrong. Of course, she wouldn't be the first person to be wrong about me."

Ramon beamed. "I will see how ahead of the pack I can put you, si?" He glanced back and gestured to the portrait.

"You do understand what she will expect," he asked quietly. "It is not my business, of course, how you conduct your private time, but Zarina is ... her training makes her special and she expects, no, requires certain things."

"Diamonds any good?" Vikund asked. "They're my specialty."

Ramon openly gaped at him. "You are ... you are not *serious*, are you? Did you not say you had contacts in Persa? Have they not even hinted at..."

He rolled his eyes heavenward. "Dios mio."

Vikund sighed. "Well, it as worth a try. I suppose I'll have to find out what an appropriate present is. You're not going to tell me they're sacred or something I hope? I didn't invest in precious stones to have them hurled back in my face. They would do significantly more damage than crockery."

"Vikund, my friend," Ramon sighed and shook his head. "Come with me, por favor. We should not discuss this in the open areas and I could not live with myself if I let this back fire spectacularly on you."

Ramon turned and headed into a nearby free parlor.

Vikund duly followed, with a slightly curious expression.

Ramon was pacing before he finally stopped and leaned against the room's sideboard.

"I am unsure how best to say this," he began, stopped and started again. "I will just say it, si?

"Zarina needs to be taken firmly in hand," he said strongly. "Do you see? You do not make suggestions, you command. You are the master, yes, that's the correct phrase. You are the Master, she is to do your bidding and if she resists-or even if she doesn't- I understand she enjoys suitable punishment."

He stood back and crossed his arms, to observe Vikund's reaction.

Vikund frowned. "I'm not sure I'm the best person for what you are suggesting," he says. "I find it odd that someone has been brought to the 'Queen who might present difficulties. I am used to getting others to administer punishments, not to do the dirty work myself.

He sighed. "Discipline aside, is there anything else I need to know?"

"She is not the one that presents difficulties," Ramon shrugged. "That is why there is a list of names, so that we may avoid them. It had to be explained to me too because I could not understand. But I can see the attraction now.

"It is what being a harem girl means, you see. Being submissive to your Master's will. Surely you can play the part of the Alpha, Vikund."

"I think I can manage it," Vikund replied with a grudging smile. "I thank you for your candor. Now, can we return to the Gallery? I'd hate to think I was missing the fun."

Ramon nodded and gestured at the door. "Certainly. Oh, and Vikund? You must keep what I told you to yourself. Anyone else must discover it on their own." He grinned. "It makes the betting pool more entertaining."

"Mum's the word," Vikund replied, tapping his nose. "Do you play cards at all?" He enquired as he pulled the door open.

"Of course," Ramon replied and laughed "More excuses to duel."

Vikund laughed as well. "Then show me a table, please. I feel in the mood for a game or two."

"Ah, well, we must determine a few things," Ramon said easily as he fell in beside Vikund. "How dear do you wish to bet and how large a gathering?"

"Small and intimate," Vikund replied. "For me it is sport, not a means of acquiring other people's money."

Ramon lead him up a staircase he hadn't seen before that led from the deck they were on to the third deck. He paused outside a door. "Please define intimate for this setting."

Vikund chuckled. "Sorry, I meant informal, friendly and without the peanut gallery," he clarified.

"Ah!" Ramon responded with a bounce on the balls of his feet. "This one then" A couple of doors down and across the hall before he opened the door leading into a small game salon in green and gold. A cabinet to one side likely held the necessary equipment and a small bar stood under the line of narrow stained glass windows of lilies.

Vikund headed straight for the bar. He seemed to have acquired a thirst. He poured himself a measure then made a quick inspection of the facilities.

Ramon grinned at him. "My friend, it has been a thrilling night, has it not? And it is still early! I am very excited.

"So, just us or would you prefer something softer to look at then my self, glorious though I am."

Vikund grinned in return. "Something a little softer would be nice, though I'd also like someone to alert me if there's anything going on on the floor. Could you arrange that?" He asked.

"Ciertamente! I will see who is free and send them along. You *do* want them to play cards, si?"

Vikund chuckled, sipping whisky. "You should be on the stage, my friend. Yes, I would like them to play cards."

"Yes, yes I should," Ramon preened briefly. But then he was leaving Vikund to his own devices and in search of a card player of softer attributes than himself.

It took even the talented and resourceful Ramon a little while but soon enough the door opened to reveal the petite frame of Aura in all her wonderfully exotic glory.

She caught sight of Vikund and laughed. "Ramon is such a liar."

Vikund had everything place by the time she arrived, and was relaxing in the chair facing the door rolling the remains of his measure around his glass.

"A consummate one," Vikund agreed. "Please don't fly away, little bird," he smirked, and gestured to a seat. "I don't bite."

"Oh, I know that," she replied with a negligent wave that ended with shutting the door. She walked past him to the bar. "Would you care for a refill before we settle in, Mr. Anansi?" she asked lightly.

"Thank you, that would be perfect," Vikund replied, and offered his empty glass. "So how are things out there tonight? I understand my friend Vincenzo is a little vexed."

"Vexed," she mused as she returned to the table with crystal decanter and a tumbler of her own. "Such a fun word, vexed." Aura refilled Vikund's glass before moving around to the other side of the table.

"Do not worry yourself, Mr. Anansi." She advised lightly as she poured her drink and plucked up the deck to shuffle. "I believe it is widely known that there is very little you could do that would not vex him."

Vikund chuckled. "Well, tonight it is not entirely on my account. At least, I'd like to view it that way.

"So what games do you play," he asked, then corrected himself, remembering what Ramon had said. "What *card* games do you like to play?"

Aura smirked at his addendum.

"I have learned every type of poker played on this ship," she smiled across. "Gino insisted we at least try and Petra backed him. I also have learned card games from several other places, as well as the ones from Atlantis. What would *you* like to play?"

"Texas Holdem," Vikund replied. "Do you deal or shall I?"

"I shuffled," she said and pushed them back across to him.

Vikund shrugged and began to deal.

As Aura collected her winnings, there came a knock on the door of Vikund's current salon.

Without waiting for an invitation, Ramon stuck his head inside the room and grinned. "Ah, excellent. I hope she has not won your clothing allowance, she is notorious for that."

Aura made a dismissive noise and threw a poker chip in Ramon's direction. "Why are you here?"

"My friend asked to be informed if anything of interest occured," the duelist responded with a dramatic wave of his hand and a large grin. "And so it has. His Majesty has arrived."

"There goes the neighborhood," Vikund grins, and gathers up his things. "Thank you for the game, Aura. I think a greater game is about to be played without, and I would hate to miss it."

"Oh, I know," the seductive Atlantean grinned as she swished her skirt and abandoned her winnings. "That's my cue to go collect the rest of the players."

She leveled a look at Ramon before ducking out of the room, "Stay out of trouble."

Ramon turned and gave Vikund a look of wounded innocence. "Women."

"Yes, marvellous aren't they," Vikund commented with a smile, before joining Ramon. "Perceptive, too. Now please, show me where I can make my entrance discretely."

Ramon looked scandalized at the idea of a discrete entrance as he lead him out. But they did slip into the lounge without causing a ruckus just as the King's party descended the stairs.

See Chadwick Plot Begins to Thicken thread.
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